Love/Perfect/Change Celebrates 4,500 Performances

This Sunday evening, May 20, the love-happy hit musical I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change will play its 4,500th performance at the Westside Theatre (407 West 43rd Street).  With the exception of The Fantasticks, no other musical in Off-Broadway history has reached this  long-running milestone.

"The 4,500th performance of I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change will be performed entirely in Mandarin as the show's Chinese company is currently playing in repertory with the American cast.  When the Chinese version recently opened on May 9 for a limited run of 23 performances only, this marked the first time in U.S. history that a foreign language production of an American musical has ever been presented in this country.  The Chinese company performs the show entirely in Mandarin with English supertitles projected above the stage and they will continue to alternate performances with the American cast through Sunday, June 3.  Immediately after their New York engagement, the company will return to Beijing to launch an extended multi-city tour throughout China.  Featured in the talented cast of four is Lin Yilun, one of China's most popular singing stars, along with Yu Yi, Wen Yang and Ma Qingli.  Lin Yilun is the winner of the 2006 Best Male Singer of China at the Chinese MTV Music Awards," state press materials.

Now in its 11th smash year at New York's Westside Theatre, the show has received productions in over 400 cities worldwide translated into eleven different languages. 

"Written by playwright/lyricist Joe DiPietro and composer Jimmy Roberts, I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change is a celebration of the modern-day suburban mating game as it explores the joys of dating, romance, marriage, lovers, husbands, wives, and in-laws.  The current New York cast features Courtney Balan, Anne Bobby, Will Erat, and Jim Stanek.  Both the Chinese and American productions are directed by Joel Bishoff."

The playing schedule for the Chinese production is Tuesday at 7 p.m., Wednesday and Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 8:30 p.m., and Sunday at 1 p.m. & 8 p.m.  The playing schedule for the American production is Monday at 7 p.m., Wednesday at 2:30 p.m., Thursday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. & 5 p.m., and Sunday at 4:30 p.m.  Tickets are available through Telecharge.com 212-239-6200.  Visit www.ILoveYouMandarin.com (Chinese production) and www.LovePerfectChange.com (American production) for more information.